Ajeng Larasati, LBH Masyarakat's researcher/assistant to public advocate, is now competing in the 2010 Asia JusticeMakers Competition. JusticeMakers hosts competitions that seek out and fund grassroots initiatives to promote criminal justice and rule of law. Ajeng's application has been accepted in the secondary phase and is now officially to be one of so many finalists from various Asian countries. There will be nine winners of the competition, 8 of which are selected by the judges and the remainning one will be chosen by public through its People's Choice Awards. The winners of this competition will receive USD 5,000 grant and are able to participate in a one-week training management program in Singapore. Vote for her now!

LBH Masyarakat welcomes you to the tenth edition of CAVEAT, our monthly report analyzing human rights in Indonesia. In this edition we present to you some articles on human rights and police reform which has become a hot topic of late. This month, CAVEAT’s Main Report highlights the issue of ‘charge fabrication’ by the police or in short, framing. We draw attention to the case of Sukandi Sukatma who has told how he was framed by police simply because he refused the police’s request to become a witness and give false testimony in an illegal firearms possession case allegedly committed by his former employer. The case has suddenly sparked public discussion.

February this year is a special month for the Chinese as they’ve just celebrated the Chinese New Year. Gong Xi Fat Cai! May the New Year bring us new blessings, new happiness and new wealth. It is not only a new year; there are also new things in CAVEAT, starting in this month’s edition. In cooperation with a regional NGO based in Hong Kong, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC), we will present updates on the human rights situation in other Asian countries in Rights in Asia. CAVEAT’s other new column, Reportage, highlights the work of LBH Masyarakat and details some of our February activities.

Happy 2010! We would like to wish you a very happy new year and beyond. In the first edition of 2010, CAVEAT brings you three burning issues pertinent to Indonesia. In the main report we present you with an analysis of the scandalous yet predictable phenomenon that occurred early this year. An anti-judicial mafia task force, appointed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, conducted a surprise visit to a detention center in Jakarta and discovered wealthy prisoners living in luxury. While thousands of convicts languish in less than satisfactory conditions in Indonesia, others have been found to enjoy rooms equipped with spa products, LCD televisions, queen-sized beds and fitness equipment. Others have been awarded access to laser treatment for facials, hairdressers, massages and air conditioning. In the wake of the exposure of this scam, Artalyta Suryani — who was convicted of bribing a senior state prosecutor in relation to a corruption case in 2008 and was sentenced to five years of prison and received luxurious treatment inside the prison — has been moved to a regular cell; the warden of the penitentiary in question has been stood down; and audits of prisons are around the country are being conducted — the first month of 2010 bodes well for Indonesia, but can the country's judiciary be relied upon to continue this streak of transparency for the next 12 months?

Dear friends, Please be informed that as of Monday, 11 January 2010, the Community Legal Aid Institute – Indonesia (LBH Masyarakat) is located in a new address: Tebet Timur Dalam III B, No. 10 Jakarta 12820 INDONESIA Phone : +62 21 830 54 50 Facsimile : +62 21 829 80 67 Please note that the telephone line is still the same with the previous one, meanwhile the facsimile line is new. Kindly update your database. Thank you for you attention and cooperation.